Tim Purtell
Viper Owner
Hello Everyone,
I just finished my first weekend at a Viper Days event (First track experience in my Viper too) last weekend at the Texas World Speedway. For anyone interested or considering going, read on – I highly recommend it.
A friend asked me: How was it? I am not sure I could put things fully into words but "incredible" best describes it. I probably had one of the best experiences in my life in terms of thrill factor – WOW.
The whole event was very well run and VERY professional. Before going, I had a local mechanic give me new oil (Mobile 1 15W-50) and brake fluid (Motul 600) and go thru the car, which was a great idea as boiling your brakes with old stock fluid CAN HAPPEN and did to a friend I met at the event. Sat morning, I showed up for tech inspection and in 2 minutes the tech guy reaches into the engine, fiddles a bit with his fingers and pulls out a 4" bolt - tells me that the bolt is what secures the water pump assembly and that at about lap 2 or 3 it would have spun out completely and blown my engine up! Evidently this was a common problem for a part of the late 2004, early 2005 runs - some air pressure issue on that part of the assembly line! He saved me the weekend!!! I thanked him profusely and he gave me a confident shrug saying it was his job but he and I both know that he was very skilled and I was lucky to have him check me out. I limped over to Archer Racing to get things fixed (They travel to all the events and help anyone that needs it in addition to servicing many of the Comp Coupes that run the event). They pulled off the air filter assembly and lock tighted / secured it at 250 psi (the whole assembly had started to come out too) – wow, was I lucky!
Out to the track for a drive around with the other new drivers in a few vans (about 12 of us) - way over my head - as the driver was explaining how to run the track (where to turn in and when to brake and throttle), but cool anyway - then into classroom for basics on seating position (This was a good learning for me and it did make a difference), maintenance/inspection and driving basics, then out to the entry part of the track, my instructor hops in with me, we say hello and then we hook up via transponders and then go out onto the track - my instructor knows the track really well but doesn't drive Vipers, but that's ok. Great instruction on drive lines - braking, throttle control, car position, etc.... Having him in the car like this is invaluable in terms of cranking me up the learning curve - left, right, too early here, too late there, slower into this area, hammer it there, BRAKE later and harder, easy here, relax there, look at your flags, you need to relax, you need to relax (he said that a lot) etc.... Having instant feedback was really terrific. He did a lot of talking at first, then not too much later on (I was learning). We always looked at the track diagram afterwards and talked about key points, which was great. This is a seriously complex, dynamic sport and I found myself getting overwhelmed a bit - but he could see that happening and we ended the discussion so I could process it all. I did a track experience with my 02 Vette a year ago and got some ‘instruction’ after each 30 minute run by instructors posted around the track – NO COMPARISON TO THIS EXPERIENCE, in the car is way better. The instructors are NOT having you go easy either, they are helping you get more speed – It is a job I would not want to do with a new driver – you gotta give them a lot of credit for courage!!!!
I did an extra session with an advanced group and had another instructor drive my (mine was busy running his own car). He drove my car for about 4 laps and that was great to experience too - I saw how he took the lines and how he managed speed and braking - of course some of his more advanced techniques were lost on me! It was really good though. Scary fast he was and he told me he was being careful since it wasn’t his car - geez!
While this is all about learning, you can't help getting focused on your lap times vs the rest of your group (or at least I couldn't). They try to put the faster drivers up front to minimize passing concerns. I was surprised to find myself toward the front after the first run. I was there after the second run too! I admit this affected me a bit as I wanted to say there (made stronger by the fact that a guy with an 06 supercharged Viper good naturedly said he was going to 'catch me' the next time out). I realized I needed to get out of this mode of thinking so we took it easy on the 3rd run focusing on consistency, which of course is where speed starts from. We got a late start for run#3 because there was a significant accident during the comp coupe race where a Michelin series driver lost it on a turn and hit the infield wall sideways - he was taken away by ambulance. I think he ended up being ok but the car was mashed. The Archer team folded it up and stuffed it into one of his vans - who knows what they will do with it next! Scary! Midway into session#3, it started to "Texas rain" (massive torrential downpour), so we headed in and I ended with a #2 time after the Supercharger (good job man) - no problem!!! Session 4 didn't happen due to the delays (probably good because I was exhausted anyway). Of course we had several classroom sessions throughput the day which were helpful too.
Good dinner/ banquet that night. Skip is a nice host and very considerate to everyone, especially the newbies like me.
Next day (sun) and more classrooms and 3 more drive sessions (I didn't stay for the 4th one as I had a long drive back and an early plane ride the next day). I felt much better, much more relaxed, but even more thrilled as my lap times tightened up and got faster. I ended up being quite happy with my lap times next to the other more experienced driver groups times – again, I was learning - thanks to my instructor. By my last run, my instructor was just holding on and answering questions only. We did a few drills where we braked hard enough to engage ABS (I've felt that before myself) and a black/red flag test which I would have completely failed had it not been for my instructor telling me to stop. With so much to think about and be looking for, it wasn't until the last session that I started zeroing in on the flag stations throughout my run - this sport requires 1000% focus. Session 3 was again cut short by a "Texas Rain" but I was able to nail my best time of the weekend before that happened (I was nearly out of gas anyway and had to come in a few minutes early too - whoops).
A few of my teammates had some off the track events (one just a spin out) and 1 more serious where he came off the big high bank at about 130mph and hit the brakes and he had NOTHING! Off they went into the grass (straight) and ended up ok on a part of the closed section of the track - car and driver (and instructor) all ok but rightfully shaken a bit - ok, maybe more than just a bit shaken - they had comments like seeing the golden light and having a story to tell, but it unnerved me for sure. He had an 06 with about 11k miles on it - had changed brake fluid with stock stuff 6 mths ago - prognosis is that they boiled – WOW – CHANGE YOUR BRAKE FLUID BEFORE YOU GO. They replaced it after the incident with Motul and found some air in the lines - scary but thank God they were ok. Could that happen to me? I hit over 140 at that point many times and cannot imagine not having brakes!!!
I left Sunday around 3:30 for home and got 30 minutes down the road and realized I failed to pay John Archer for the engine work (I had asked him to tack weld my Corsas which were hanging low on 1 side too). A quick cell phone call to them with my credit card # remedied that but I felt a little bad - he was completely cool about it though. All of that group is very professional! Fixing the bolt and welding my exhaust cost $170, which I thought was very reasonable given the convenience of him being there and their tremendous Viper expertise.
I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who has a Viper and REQUIRE it, or something like it, for anyone who wants to track their car. It was fun, informative and really helped me think about safety. Most everyone is super friendly as are the Michelin series racers (at least most of them that is.
This car is amazing. Great hp, unbelievable brakes and it can hold a corner like I couldn't have imagined. We were so hard into the corners that I am still amazed at how well the Viper held my lines - but it is all about control and balance - being off a little and I can easily see how you could spin out or worse. You really have to learn a track and build up speed after you get your brake points sorted out and turn approaches understood and memorized.
Now I have to think about what's next. There is no doubt this is massively fun sport but also it is expensive. I would really like to go somewhere else again - and I am signed up for our club event at MSR when that happens later this year. Obviously there are a thousand things you can spend money on – non run flat tires will probably be next (But the run flats did real well over the weekend) - this car has more than enough hp for me for quite a while - I need to think more about safety (maybe 6 point harness) and necessary mechanical upgrades to ensure longevity of my car.
BIG THUMBS UP VIPER DAYS TEAM!!! Thanks for a great time!!!
I just finished my first weekend at a Viper Days event (First track experience in my Viper too) last weekend at the Texas World Speedway. For anyone interested or considering going, read on – I highly recommend it.
A friend asked me: How was it? I am not sure I could put things fully into words but "incredible" best describes it. I probably had one of the best experiences in my life in terms of thrill factor – WOW.
The whole event was very well run and VERY professional. Before going, I had a local mechanic give me new oil (Mobile 1 15W-50) and brake fluid (Motul 600) and go thru the car, which was a great idea as boiling your brakes with old stock fluid CAN HAPPEN and did to a friend I met at the event. Sat morning, I showed up for tech inspection and in 2 minutes the tech guy reaches into the engine, fiddles a bit with his fingers and pulls out a 4" bolt - tells me that the bolt is what secures the water pump assembly and that at about lap 2 or 3 it would have spun out completely and blown my engine up! Evidently this was a common problem for a part of the late 2004, early 2005 runs - some air pressure issue on that part of the assembly line! He saved me the weekend!!! I thanked him profusely and he gave me a confident shrug saying it was his job but he and I both know that he was very skilled and I was lucky to have him check me out. I limped over to Archer Racing to get things fixed (They travel to all the events and help anyone that needs it in addition to servicing many of the Comp Coupes that run the event). They pulled off the air filter assembly and lock tighted / secured it at 250 psi (the whole assembly had started to come out too) – wow, was I lucky!
Out to the track for a drive around with the other new drivers in a few vans (about 12 of us) - way over my head - as the driver was explaining how to run the track (where to turn in and when to brake and throttle), but cool anyway - then into classroom for basics on seating position (This was a good learning for me and it did make a difference), maintenance/inspection and driving basics, then out to the entry part of the track, my instructor hops in with me, we say hello and then we hook up via transponders and then go out onto the track - my instructor knows the track really well but doesn't drive Vipers, but that's ok. Great instruction on drive lines - braking, throttle control, car position, etc.... Having him in the car like this is invaluable in terms of cranking me up the learning curve - left, right, too early here, too late there, slower into this area, hammer it there, BRAKE later and harder, easy here, relax there, look at your flags, you need to relax, you need to relax (he said that a lot) etc.... Having instant feedback was really terrific. He did a lot of talking at first, then not too much later on (I was learning). We always looked at the track diagram afterwards and talked about key points, which was great. This is a seriously complex, dynamic sport and I found myself getting overwhelmed a bit - but he could see that happening and we ended the discussion so I could process it all. I did a track experience with my 02 Vette a year ago and got some ‘instruction’ after each 30 minute run by instructors posted around the track – NO COMPARISON TO THIS EXPERIENCE, in the car is way better. The instructors are NOT having you go easy either, they are helping you get more speed – It is a job I would not want to do with a new driver – you gotta give them a lot of credit for courage!!!!
I did an extra session with an advanced group and had another instructor drive my (mine was busy running his own car). He drove my car for about 4 laps and that was great to experience too - I saw how he took the lines and how he managed speed and braking - of course some of his more advanced techniques were lost on me! It was really good though. Scary fast he was and he told me he was being careful since it wasn’t his car - geez!
While this is all about learning, you can't help getting focused on your lap times vs the rest of your group (or at least I couldn't). They try to put the faster drivers up front to minimize passing concerns. I was surprised to find myself toward the front after the first run. I was there after the second run too! I admit this affected me a bit as I wanted to say there (made stronger by the fact that a guy with an 06 supercharged Viper good naturedly said he was going to 'catch me' the next time out). I realized I needed to get out of this mode of thinking so we took it easy on the 3rd run focusing on consistency, which of course is where speed starts from. We got a late start for run#3 because there was a significant accident during the comp coupe race where a Michelin series driver lost it on a turn and hit the infield wall sideways - he was taken away by ambulance. I think he ended up being ok but the car was mashed. The Archer team folded it up and stuffed it into one of his vans - who knows what they will do with it next! Scary! Midway into session#3, it started to "Texas rain" (massive torrential downpour), so we headed in and I ended with a #2 time after the Supercharger (good job man) - no problem!!! Session 4 didn't happen due to the delays (probably good because I was exhausted anyway). Of course we had several classroom sessions throughput the day which were helpful too.
Good dinner/ banquet that night. Skip is a nice host and very considerate to everyone, especially the newbies like me.
Next day (sun) and more classrooms and 3 more drive sessions (I didn't stay for the 4th one as I had a long drive back and an early plane ride the next day). I felt much better, much more relaxed, but even more thrilled as my lap times tightened up and got faster. I ended up being quite happy with my lap times next to the other more experienced driver groups times – again, I was learning - thanks to my instructor. By my last run, my instructor was just holding on and answering questions only. We did a few drills where we braked hard enough to engage ABS (I've felt that before myself) and a black/red flag test which I would have completely failed had it not been for my instructor telling me to stop. With so much to think about and be looking for, it wasn't until the last session that I started zeroing in on the flag stations throughout my run - this sport requires 1000% focus. Session 3 was again cut short by a "Texas Rain" but I was able to nail my best time of the weekend before that happened (I was nearly out of gas anyway and had to come in a few minutes early too - whoops).
A few of my teammates had some off the track events (one just a spin out) and 1 more serious where he came off the big high bank at about 130mph and hit the brakes and he had NOTHING! Off they went into the grass (straight) and ended up ok on a part of the closed section of the track - car and driver (and instructor) all ok but rightfully shaken a bit - ok, maybe more than just a bit shaken - they had comments like seeing the golden light and having a story to tell, but it unnerved me for sure. He had an 06 with about 11k miles on it - had changed brake fluid with stock stuff 6 mths ago - prognosis is that they boiled – WOW – CHANGE YOUR BRAKE FLUID BEFORE YOU GO. They replaced it after the incident with Motul and found some air in the lines - scary but thank God they were ok. Could that happen to me? I hit over 140 at that point many times and cannot imagine not having brakes!!!
I left Sunday around 3:30 for home and got 30 minutes down the road and realized I failed to pay John Archer for the engine work (I had asked him to tack weld my Corsas which were hanging low on 1 side too). A quick cell phone call to them with my credit card # remedied that but I felt a little bad - he was completely cool about it though. All of that group is very professional! Fixing the bolt and welding my exhaust cost $170, which I thought was very reasonable given the convenience of him being there and their tremendous Viper expertise.
I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who has a Viper and REQUIRE it, or something like it, for anyone who wants to track their car. It was fun, informative and really helped me think about safety. Most everyone is super friendly as are the Michelin series racers (at least most of them that is.
This car is amazing. Great hp, unbelievable brakes and it can hold a corner like I couldn't have imagined. We were so hard into the corners that I am still amazed at how well the Viper held my lines - but it is all about control and balance - being off a little and I can easily see how you could spin out or worse. You really have to learn a track and build up speed after you get your brake points sorted out and turn approaches understood and memorized.
Now I have to think about what's next. There is no doubt this is massively fun sport but also it is expensive. I would really like to go somewhere else again - and I am signed up for our club event at MSR when that happens later this year. Obviously there are a thousand things you can spend money on – non run flat tires will probably be next (But the run flats did real well over the weekend) - this car has more than enough hp for me for quite a while - I need to think more about safety (maybe 6 point harness) and necessary mechanical upgrades to ensure longevity of my car.
BIG THUMBS UP VIPER DAYS TEAM!!! Thanks for a great time!!!
